Barcelona welcomes a struggling Girona side on Saturday evening, who are fighting to avoid relegation in 18th place with only six points, while the Blaugrana are in second place despite recent setbacks against PSG and Sevilla. The Catalans are looking to get back on track after two bitter defeats, but the injury list is full: Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Ter Stegen, and Gavi are definitely out, and Raphinha is injured. Girona comes into the game on the back of its first win of the season against Valencia, but has suffered additional setbacks with the suspensions of Francés and Iván Martín. History suggests a spectacular encounter: four of the last five meetings between the two sides have seen over 3.5 goals, with Barcelona winning the last two 4-1, and the second half usually proving decisive.
- Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona
- Date and time: October 18, 2025, 4:15 p.m.
- Competition: La Liga (Matchday 9)
Recommended tips for this match: Over 2.5 goals, Both teams to score: Yes and Over 1.5 goals – 1st half. Barcelona remain dangerous in attack despite the absences, and each of the last five games between the two teams has produced at least three goals. The Catalans’ defense has shown weaknesses recently, conceding in 80% of their last five games, while Girona have been scored on in four of five games, particularly vulnerable in the second half. Vanat has scored twice in a row for the visitors and could cause an upset despite the high odds against away goals (around 13.0). Barcelona traditionally start strongly, creating several chances before the break in 80% of their recent games, and after two consecutive defeats, Hansi Flick’s side are likely to be particularly aggressive from the start. The bookmakers’ odds reflect Barcelona’s role as favorites (home win ~1.20), but caution is advised: odds change quickly, and responsible stake management remains essential.
Barcelona Form & Record Check
Barcelona is in second place with 19 points, two points behind Real Madrid and three ahead of Villarreal, with the league form looking positive again recently with three wins in a row. In the last five games, the team has always scored, but has also conceded at least two goals, showing offensive power but defensive vulnerability. The 4-1 defeat in Seville on October 5 was particularly painful: after falling behind early on from a penalty, Rashford pulled one back shortly before halftime, but the team fell apart in the second half. The personnel situation remains tense with the aforementioned absences of Lewandowski (muscle tear, three weeks), Dani Olmo (soleus injury) and the questionable Raphinha, who pulled his hamstring again during his comeback training. Possible returnees such as Lamine Yamal and Fermín López offer hope, while Hansi Flick used the international break to work on solutions and commit the team to more collective work.
Barcelona has significant personnel concerns with the absences of Lewandowski (muscle tear), Dani Olmo (calf) and the injured Raphinha (thigh problems), while Ter Stegen, Joan García and Gavi are out long term. On a positive note, Lamine Yamal and Fermín López could be fit in time, and de Jong, Christensen, and Bardghji are available again after injuries. The expected formation is a 4-2-3-1 with Szczesny in goal, a back four, de Jong and Casadó as double sixes, Pedri in central attacking midfield, Rashford and possibly Bardghji on the wings, and Ferran Torres as striker.
Girona Form & Record Check
Girona are fighting for survival in 18th place with six points from eight games, just one point ahead of Real Sociedad and level on points with Oviedo in 17th. After a disastrous start with five defeats in six games, Míchel’s team has recently stabilized with one win and three draws from their last five games, with only the 4-0 defeat to Levante standing out negatively. The dramatic 2-1 win against Valencia was marked by early decisions, with Alejandro Francés receiving a red card before kick-off and Iván Martín receiving a yellow-red card in the 80th minute. Statistically, a clear pattern emerges: Girona mostly held their own in the first halves, never conceding more than 1.5 goals, but were vulnerable after the break in four out of five games. The personnel situation remains tense with the suspensions of Martín and Francés and the injuries to Van de Beek, David López, Solís, Ounahi, Portu, and Lemar, whose availability will only be clarified at short notice. At least Joel Roca is returning from the U20 World Cup, and Bryan Gil, who has been signed permanently after his loan spell, is looking to find his rhythm after recovering from injury.
Coach Míchel is likely to opt for a 3-4-3 system with Gazzaniga in goal and a back three of López, new signing Reis, and Blind. Arnau Martínez is expected to start on the right and Álex Moreno on the left, while Witsel and Ounahi will provide stability and ball control in central midfield. The attack will be led by Asprilla, Vanat, and Portu, with Vanat considered the main threat in the box after his recent goals. Van de Beek (Achilles tendon rupture), Juan Carlos (knee injury), and the suspended Iván Martín will be missing, while Tsygankov, Gil, and veteran Stuani, among others, will be available on the bench.
H2H Barcelona – Girona Head-to-head & statistics
The record for the last five meetings shows two wins each for Barcelona and Girona and one draw, with Barcelona clearly dominating the most recent encounters. The Catalans won twice by a clear 4-1 margin, at home in March 2025 and away in September 2024, while Girona triumphed twice 4-2, at home in December 2023 and away in May 2024. Four of the five games saw more than 3.5 goals scored, with both teams usually finding the net, although Barcelona scored before the break in 80% of cases and Girona scored more often in the second half. This tendency for many goals after the break suggests offensive approaches or waning defensive concentration, making the duels unpredictable and entertaining with a high probability of goals and chances for late comebacks.
